Motorists welcome falling fuel costs, but say cheaper petrol won’t sway their vote

Mr Frydenberg said household budgets were being stretched as the cost of fuel, food and freight charges on goods were being driven up by disruption in global markets due to sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine.

However, some economists and motoring groups have argued against cutting the excise, concerned that would stall much-needed road infrastructure funding without guaranteeing savings for motorists if volatile swings in crude oil prices continued in coming months.

The Coalition holds Casey by a margin of 4.6 per cent, but sitting MP Tony Smith is not running for re-election this year.

Anthony Gerace, a 26-year-old hospitality worker and Liberal voter, drives 30 kilometres to work every day and hasn’t been able to fill up to a full tank ever since the price of petrol went over $2 a litre. He intends to fill up a full tank as the prices fall.

Mr Gerace said the fuel excise cut was “a good thing” but “six months isn’t good enough”. He plans to vote Liberal at the election.

Russell Tiplady, a 73-year-old retiree, said the price of filling his petrol tank had recently risen by $30.

The Liberal voter said he hadn’t been deterred by petrol prices, regularly driving to visit friends and family all over the state. He is planning a trip away in his caravan in the near future.

“There are other things to worry about. It’s a storm in a teacup”, he said.

As for the excise cut, he says, “Good on the government.”

“If the stuff overseas isn’t fixed up in six months then we’ve got something else to worry about”, he said.

Retiree Ken Hudson, 77, a swinging voter, said he hadn’t been significantly affected by the surge in fuel prices, but became more conscious of it as he filled up this week to drive to NSW on holiday.

A full tank once cost Mr Hudson about half of what he now pays to for three-quarters of a tank.

Loading

“Normally I pay $40-45 to fill up. Today I paid $82, ” he said.

He said he would not be voting Liberal in the upcoming election, and criticised the excise cut as an election ploy. “They [federal government] are hoping to get voted in again,” he said.

As for the excise cut, he says “It’s not going to last too long, is it?“.

With Mike Foley and Nick Toscano

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.